Page 95 of Unexpected Shot
“I second everything Shelby just said. Also, I can’t ever apologize enough for how you’ve had to navigate me and my actionsthis past year. You shouldn’t have to keep putting yourself in that position just to be my agent."
Ethan pinches the bridge of his nose and lets out a heavy sigh. “You two are fucking killing me. Here I thought football players were going to be my nightmare as an agent. Maybe a few basketball guys. No...my two biggest pains in the ass are fucking golfers!”
“They might be your two biggest pains in the ass, but if you all play this right, they could be your biggest cash cows.”
Everyone’s eyes swing toward the door, where Ethan’s newest secretary is ushering in a man and a woman who… I don’t have words. I mean, they’re both gorgeous in their own ways. But it’s the aura they’re giving off. Like they’ve owned every room they’ve ever stepped into. I’m a little scared and a lot impressed.
The man is tall, over six feet, with red hair and a scruffy beard, wearing a suit that I know cost a pretty penny. He’s put together and commanding in his own right. But the woman? She’s only said a single sentence, but I’m pretty sure I have a girl crush.
She's wearing a fitted blouse with a pencil skirt and heels, and her figure is giving a fifties pin-up girl in a power suit. Her hair is perfectly styled, her lips are red, and I know without her saying another word that I would follow her into battle.
“Beau, Shelby, this is Kat Smith and Grayson Ross—also known as the public relations duo that is going to fix this situation.”
“Fix?” I ask. “You’re not dropping us?”
“I haven’t decided yet,” Ethan says. “But if Kat is saying you’re my next cash cow? Then color me interested.”
“Me too,” Beau whispers and I slap him on the arm. “Ow! What was that for?”
“I don’t know. It just felt right,” I grit out. “I’m not a cash cow.”
“Oh, but you could be,” Kat says, handing each of us a folder. “I know today has been crazy for the both of you. Have either of you looked at articles or social media since everything broke?”
“I skimmed headlines, but didn’t read anything,” Beau says. “Nothing seemed too out of pocket.”
“You’re right, nothing crazy,” Kat agrees as Grayson brings Ethan’s big screen TV to life, a PowerPoint slide of some kind displaying on the screen. “But there are a few we want to highlight.”
Obviously, the original article is number one. A close second is the video. The next is a timeline of events from the tournament. Which, I should probably review, because I’m sure I’m forgetting something.
“The first two make media sense,” Grayson says. “Every news outlet wants to get the search engine hits, and having the article and the video does that.”
“At least we have a video,” Beau says. “I don’t remember much, so I’m glad I paid a kid to take it.”
“Not helping,” I grit out, slapping his arm for good measure. “Please continue, Kat.”
I want to say the knowing smile she gives me is because I just shut Beau up. Except, I have a sinking feeling the girl I’d follow into battle is about to hand down a death sentence.
“The timeline also makes sense. You two made a lot of unusual headlines this week and the media is going to stretch it out however they can. But it’s the next bit of data that we think we can capitalize on.”
“Capitalize?” I ask. “I don’t want to capitalize on anything. I want a divorce.”
“I’d maybe pump those brakes,” Kat says.
I've never hyperventilated before, but I think I'm about to. Playing golf with Beau was one thing. I didn't like it, but I knew I had to do it. Being married to him, though? Absolutely the fuck not.
“In those folders is a printout of every headline we could findover the last six hours. I want you both to look over them and tell us what you think.”
We do as asked, and honestly, I’m a bit shocked. I was waiting for headlines to the effect of “The Bitch of Women’s Golf now Mrs. Back Nine” or something like that. But they’re all, for the most part…positive?
“Wait. Do people actually like that we got married?”
Kat can’t hide her smile. “That’s what we wanted to show you.”
Grayson changes the screen on the monitor to a bar graph and a lot of search terms.
Beau Devereaux and Shelby LeBlanc golf
Beau Devereaux and Shelby LeBlanc wedding
